The animals arrive at the 4-H fair, vendors and exhibitors get ready for Wednesday's opening

The animals that will be on display at the 2012 Hunterdon 4-H & Agricultural Fair began arriving on Tuesday. The fair, which runs Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 22-26, at the South County Park on Route 179, between Ringoes and Lambertville.

Some animals were judged on Tuesday while others will have competitions throughout the fair. Vendors and non-profit exhibitors have set up their displays in anticipation for opening day.

The fair officially opens on Wednesday at 10 a.m. That's opening time for all days of the fair. It closes at 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 6 p.m. on Sunday.

It’s an old-fashioned country fair, complete with 4-H members showing their cows, sheep, goats and other animals; tractor pulls; amusement rides; food vendors; and all kinds of exhibits. More than 50 shows of all types are set for the main stage, ranging from country music concerts to cloggers, senior citizen tap dancers and dance student demonstrations.

Tractor pulls, in which area farmers compete to see whose tractor can pull the heaviest weight, are on the schedule for Wednesday day and night. Tractor pulls are the only events where there is a charge ($5 for a seat); admission and other events are free. Parking costs $10 per car, shared with the local volunteer fire companies whose members supervise the parking fields.

Entertainment includes The Manhattan Dolls on Wednesday night, Dave Bond of Delaware Township singing with his Real Country band on Thursday night, the Van-Dells on Friday night, the Tequila Rose band on Saturday night, and the Tim Gillis Band on Sunday afternoon.

For more information, call 908-782-6809 or go to the website, co.hunterdon.nj.us/4hagfair.htm.